Tyler Smith Injury Update, Latest Return Timeline for Cowboys Pro Bowl Guard After Surgery Decision

The Dallas Cowboys will be without one of their top protectors for star quarterback Dak Prescott to start the 2026 season.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters on Monday that left guard Tyler Smith is set to have surgery on his thumb and will be placed on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least the first four games of the year. T.J. Bass will start at left guard in Dallas' season opener against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football.

Schottenheimer added that Smith had been bothered by his thumb injury for some time and was trying to avoid surgery. It now appears that he had no other option but to go under the knife.

A Pro Bowl selection in each of the last three years, Smith has never missed more than three games in a season since the Cowboys drafted him 24th overall in 2022. He also earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023.

The Cowboys previously attempted to bolster their offensive line when they acquired right tackle Broderick Jones from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for third- and sixth-round picks in 2027. The 2023 No. 14 pick is coming off a season-ending neck injury in Week 11 of last season that required spinal fusion surgery.

"I'm still working through it," Jones said in July. "I wouldn't say I'm where I want to be at. Just trying to get back in shape and putting the weight back on in the right places."

Now, the Cowboys' offensive line is facing even more questions after losing Smith. Prescott will have to be at his absolute best as he tries to help Dallas achieve its first playoff berth since 2023.